Whats the relationship between Christianity and Messianic Judaism? Do Christians and Messianic Jews ever interact?
First, by way of background, most Jews have believed in the coming of the messiah, or mashiakh, for centuries. Probably one of the most famous references was by RaMbaM, Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, or Maimonides. He was a 12th Century sage who lived in Spain, Morocco, Israel and Egypt. Among his many famous works, central to Judaism, he formulated the “thirteen articles of faith”. The 12th article of faith is: I believe with a full heart in the coming of the Messiah, and even though he may tarry, nevertheless, I will still wait for him. (It was often among the last words said by Jews being marched into Nazi gas chambers.) In the early 20th Century, Reconstructionist Judaism eliminated the messiah from its theology. I believe that is now changing back again. Belief in the messiah is strong in Orthodox Judaism and in Chasidism in particular. Some Chasidic sects have messianic beliefs that differ with mainstream Jewry. —————————————————————————
